Nebulizer apparatus and method

a nebulizer and airflow technology, applied in the field of nebulizer apparatus and method, can solve the problems of aerosol waste during exhalation, aerosol loss to condensation on the nebulizer or mouthpiece, and difficulty in quantifying the amount of wasted aerosol, so as to reduce the effort of inhalation

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-08-16
TRUDELL MEDICAL INT INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Continuous nebulization may result in a waste of aerosol during a patient's exhalation or during a delay between inhalation and exhalation.
The amount of wasted aerosol may be difficult to quantify and some of the aerosol may be lost to condensation on the nebulizer or mouthpiece during periods of non-inhalation.
Nebulizers implementing a timed or non-continuous nebulization may adversely affect particle size and density as the nebulization is turned on and off.
The greater the flow rate, air leaks and friction, the greater the inhalation effort required in order to actuate the device.

Method used

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  • Nebulizer apparatus and method
  • Nebulizer apparatus and method
  • Nebulizer apparatus and method

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Embodiment Construction

[0042]A preferred embodiment of a nebulizer 10 for nebulizing a fluid is shown in FIGS. 1-3. As used in this specification, the term “fluid” includes, without limitation, a fluid comprising a medicine, whether in the form of an emulsion, suspension or solution, that can be nebulized into an aerosol. The embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 comprises a lid 11 attached to a housing 13 having a top portion 12, a cylindrical middle portion 14, and a bottom portion 16. An air outlet 18 extends from the cylindrical middle portion 14 of the housing 13. The air outlet 18 communicates with air in the chamber 20, defined by the inside of the cylindrical middle portion 14 of the housing, and is suited to receive a mouthpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the component parts of the housing may be formed of separate, multiple pieces of material that are connected together by welding, adhesives, threading, connector tabs. In an alternative embodiment the housing may be constructed of a single piece of material ...

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Abstract

A nebulizer for efficiently and reliably delivering aerosolized fluid to an inhaling patient is disclosed. The nebulizer includes a fixed diverter and a movable fluid orifice or fluid pathway connected with an actuator for responding to an inhalation or a manual actuation and beginning the nebulization process. Also provided is a method of providing nebulization including the steps of moving a fluid orifice or fluid pathway connected to an actuator so that the fluid orifice or fluid pathway reaches a nebulizing position during inhalation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 277,482, filed Mar. 20, 2001, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating an aerosol for delivery to a patient. More particularly, the present invention relates to a nebulizer configured to nebulize a fluid into an aerosol in coordination with a patient's breathing.BACKGROUND[0003]Medical nebulizers that nebulize a fluid into an aerosol for inhalation by a patient are well-known devices commonly used for the treatment of certain conditions and diseases. Nebulizers have applications for conscious, spontaneously-breathing patients and for controlled, ventilated patients.[0004]In some nebulizers, a gas and a fluid are mixed together and directed against a baffle or diverter. In some other nebulizers, interaction of the gas and fluid is enhanced thr...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61M11/06A61M15/00B05B7/00
CPCA61M11/06A61M15/0091B05B7/0012A61M16/122A61M11/007A61M11/00B05B7/2435A61M16/14
Inventor BLACKER, RICKGOODWIN, EVAN
Owner TRUDELL MEDICAL INT INC
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